Someday Is Now

Clara Luper was a leader in the Civil Rights Movement who deserves to be talked about more! This book details how she became a teacher and taught her students the steps of non-violence: investigation, negotiation, education, and demonstration. While on a school trip to perform a play she wrote, the children saw an integrated city and wanted that for their own town. Being doing the steps taught to them by Luper, the children had a sit-in at a local diner until it was declared to be integrated. This came at the cost of threats, verbal abuse, and food throwing at both Clara and her students. But she made sure her students understood the concept that instead of waiting and hoping for "someday", they should act and stand up today because "someday is now".

A non-fiction book about historic events, about segregation, protests, and about activism.
There are beautiful drawings and quite a lot of text, but the text is well-worded, it makes perfect sense and this book is a great, great resource to start talking about important matters and explaining the horrible things from history. There should be more, more books like this. About brave, courageous people who stood up for themselves and for others, to make the world a better place for everyone.

On reading this story of Clara Mae Shepard/Luper it is so hard to believe that the world used to be that way. I have mentioned before I want my Granddaughter to know about all races and cultures. I want her to know the heroes of all races. Clara was one of those heroes as were her student. She was right about education being a power because those students that stood behind her were very brave. This book also shows that perseverance will out, and by taking it one at a time you will win. The patience shown in the face of fear and attack was admirable. I highly recommend this book for children 6-10.

Thanks so much to NetGalley for the ARC!

I love children's educational books - you learn so much so quickly! This was fantastic, truly fantastic - as a White adult, I'm ashamed to say I didn't know who Clara Luper was - though I had heard of the Oklahoma Sit-ins. This was brilliantly written - easy to understand for younger kids but still informational. The art style was simple but well done and matched the story.

This needs to be taught in schools and in homes and to children of all ages and races - Clara Luper's story is important, and this book teaches her lessons well. Someday is today!

I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher.
This book shows Clara Luper's early childhood and her experiences with racism. It then shows how, in 1958, she led her students in a series of sit-ins in Oklahoma City. Her students were inspired after they took a trip to New York and experienced what it was like to be in an unsegregated city. When the students return, they plan and execute sit-ins in segregated spaces.
This is a good book to introduce readers to the topic of sit-ins. Also, Clara Luper led her students in sit-ins before the more famous sit-ins that occurred later. It also shows younger readers how children their age can have an effect on the world around them.

What a great depiction of this infamous sit. I love learning the names of these historical figures, instead of just the “counter sit” the author uses Carla Luper’s name on almost every page. We should never forget her name and the way she taught her students.